With 2016 being the start of a new triennium in the implementation of USP’s Strategic Plan 2013-2018, the open forum was an opportunity for students to talk about issues at the University, and especially what is required to support USP’s continued efforts towards transforming it from a good to an excellent University.
It was also an opportune time for students to raise questions and issues for Management to respond to.
Students were informed that they were the primary reason for the existence of the University and staff needed to keep that in mind when preparing graduates, who will ultimately be the future leaders of the Pacific region.
“This message should come through in the way we deal with you starting from Senior Management and across to all staff,” USP Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Rajesh Chandra, told the students.
“We are a student-centred University and although it is easier said than done, we are progressing very well on this,” he noted.
He invited student leaders to feel confident in engaging in various committees within the University, whether it be in academic programmes, teaching quality, Senate or Council.
Students were also urged to be responsible, to keep abreast of issues happening around them and quickly bring to the fore issues of concern to them at the University.
“This is the only way forward for us, we cannot react unless we get feedback,” Professor Chandra noted.
“We have been very fortunate here at USP to have students who are very intelligent and very dedicated to learning.”
He gave an example where at a fundraising concert; students put together a superb performance in aid of the victims of Tropical Cyclone Winston.
“The students made sure that all those who attended had a very good experience. That showed just how dedicated they were because they had to prepare for days when they could have been doing their assignments,” he said.
A majority of the issues raised by students included computers that were not working in some of the labs, which hindered the completion of assignments especially when their due dates are near.
Similarly, a student raised his concern on students with disabilities saying that some of the facilities were not OHS-compliant, in terms of accessibility.
All issues raised by the students at the Forum will be addressed by USP Management.
— USP PRESS
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